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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnnual Report 2021-VPA F & G 2021 Annual Report To: The Board of Park Commissioners From: JM Subject: F&G Annual Report Info • Removed invasive species throughout City Parks including Knotweed, Amur Honey Suckle, and Eurasian Watermilfoil. • Installed 2700 bulbs, flowers, and plants around various parks and trails. Key Performance Indicator’s Impacting Ecological Stewardship: • Planted 140 trees in parks • Planted 93 trees along the Downtown Smart Streets • Planted 139 trees on residential property for the Community Canopy Tree Program • Planted 525 trees in the urban nurseries • Gave away 60 trees on Arbor Day • Urban nurseries transplanted 15 trees into our park system • Elbel nursery transplanted 58 trees into our parks system • Pruned and provided beneficial healthcare to 1,112 parks trees • Pruned and provided beneficial healthcare to 274 city trees • Watered 6,487 trees in parks and the downtown Smart Streets • Fertilized 519 Smart Street trees • Installed wire wraps to protect 59 trees to prevent beaver damage • South Bend has 26% urban tree canopy coverage with an overall goal of reaching 40% Strategic Forestry Initiatives: • For the fourth year in a row, we planted more trees than were removed. • Performed yearly river window maintenance and brush clearing Veterans Memorial, Riverside Drive, Governor Kernan, to provide pleasant vista views along 4.4 miles of riverbank. • Secured funding for the 2022 Community Canopy Tree Program • Urban tree recycling program where we recycle trees by selling logs to the local sawmills. This program reduces the total amount of woody materials going into our landfills. How we’ve addressed our Departmental Impact Drivers this year: My South Bend Parks and Trails Projects: • Martin Luther King Center o Added new electronic sign to the building campus. o Added new building lights, light poles and banners. • Governor Joe Kernan Park and Trail o Installed a new boat dock o Installed new roof at the SB Boathouse o Installed new informational signage about former Gov. Kernan o Installed new benches • Kennedy Pool o Added a new liner to Kennedy Pool o Replaced several sections of piping Key Performance Indicator’s Impacting Neighborhood & Economy: Centralized Mowing & Graffiti Abatement: • 2,180 mowing abatements completed on Vacant and Abandoned Lots for Code Enforcement • 4,335 properties mowed for the City of South Bend and Department of Community Investment o 86 Properties had illegally dumped materials removed. • 101 residential and business properties had graffiti removed by VPA staff at no cost to them. • Contracted out 30.29 acres of property to a local minority owned landscape contractor for mowing due to low staffing levels. Skilled Trades: • Installed new exterior building and pole lighting at Martin Luther King Center • Renovated the Pinhook Community Center Kitchen • Added new flooring in the Offices of the Charles Black Center • Constructed a second trophy case for Martin Luther King Center • Fabricated and installed steel fencing for Studebaker Golf Course’s new entrance • Fabricated furniture for Howard Park • Installed new memorial bricks and monument stone to the Workers Memorial in Howard Park • New playground installed at Muessel Grove • Created a shaded plant nursery at the F7G maintenance building • Installed soccer goals at South East and O’Brien Park • Installed a new roof on the SB Boathouse • Installed new updated signage in nearly every park • Renovated the O’Brien Lobby adding new carpeting, paint, counters, cabinetry, and finishes • Fabricated and installed facades, lighting, and photo opportunities for the Howard Holiday Market • Fabricated and installed DJ booth at Howard Park Ice Ribbon • Completed 1920 work orders including preventative maintenance and general repairs Grounds & Athletics: • Staff repaired major sections of Rum Village’s walking trails. • Completed 8894 maintenance work orders from trash removal, mowing, trimming, hauling, leaf and snow removal. Forestry: • The City Forester has negotiated a legal low payment plan for 14 residents who are experiencing financial hardships and cannot afford to take care of dead and dying trees on their property. This allows City crews to remove the dangerous liability, while still allowing the resident to make low monthly payments with 0% interest. Mentored Mowing • 14 South Bend youth participated in VPA’s Mentored Mowing Program where they mowed over 600 vacant lots and maintained City Cemetery. These future leaders also received training and mentoring to be great employees and future business owners, as well as positive members of our community. Women and Minority Owned Business • F&G did $48,730.14 of business with local MWB’s. o $10,330.14 in Inventory (17% of inv. budget) o $38,400 in landscape services (10% of budget) Youth Employment Program • Two participants of the Youth Employment Program worked on the Grounds crews during the summer. Awards • Designated a Tree City USA for the 24th year in a row. • Recognized participant in the OSHA Safety Program “Safe and Sound Week”. • Howard Park Ice Ribbon became a member of the U.S. Ice Rink Association Education • Staff completed Infection Prevention 101 for Public Spaces through Ohio State University • Staff completed Certified Electrostatic Technology Technician certification for cleaning related to CV19. Safety: • Facilities & Grounds conducted over 97 hours of safety training for F&G VPA employees ranging from first aid to aerial rescue. • 315 playground inspections this year across 35 parks o 201 hazards identified and repaired • Provided over 3,700 face masks to residents using VPA programs and facilities. • Installed silent alarms at all the Centers. Other Significant Department Updates • Certified 55 employees and volunteers in Adult and Infant First Aid, CPR, AED training • Completed over 200 air quality tests in City parks • Relocated six wild animals to more favorable habitats • Staff completed Infection Prevention 101 for Public Spaces through Ohio State University • Staff completed Certified Electrostatic Technology Technician certification for cleaning related to CV19. • Purchased and installed (10) new mobile cameras. These cameras can be rapidly moved and installed in new locations to counteract negative behavior.